Perhaps you have a guitar and you’re feeling a little perplexed. Maybe you’re looking at your guitar or holding it and thinking…now what? I frequently hear things like “I have a guitar, but I don’t know how to play it.” Here’s the good news about learning to play guitar ~ all the mysteries of playing guitar can be unraveled with a little guidance.
Take for example Gina, the co-owner of the Liss Music Center in Summit, New Jersey. I had the privilege of sitting next to her at the Women’s International Music Network She Rocks Awards ceremony held during the recent NAMM Show (National Association of Music Merchants) in Anaheim, California. We became fast friends as we talked about our connection – music. We discussed our musical backgrounds, both of us having played instruments during our childhoods and beyond. Gina indicated a bit of irony though when it came to guitar; she has a strong knowledge of the instrument, sells them in her store and though she’s tried, is not able to play guitar. That soon changed.
Gina won a beautiful custom Gretsch Falcon guitar at the event. Needless to say she was thrilled at her guitar windfall and immediately realized that she wanted to be able to play her new guitar. She asked if I could help her to play it before she headed back home to New Jersey, so we arranged to meet the following day. While sitting outside on a beautiful sunny Southern California day I gave her a crash course in my method of learning to play guitar. In the span of an hour Gina was comfortably and confidently playing a few basic chords and strums, some simple songs, and even a little bit of picking! All the while countless people stopped by to admire her beautiful guitar which she proudly explained she had won. Gina was rockin’ on her Gretsch Falcon and beaming at her exciting new guitar journey. While taking photos after her crash course she mentioned in amazement that she felt like playing guitar now made sense to her.
We’ve been in touch since then and I’m happy to report that this busy working mom has found time to practice and improve her skills on her beautiful guitar. Gina shared her thoughts and with her permission I’m sharing them here.
“…I really enjoyed the approach of your book and DVD. It is simple, logical, and builds a strong foundation on all the basics, which I believe is fundamental for all instruments…”
Sometimes all it takes to get started is just a little bit of basic information. Just think, in no time at all you could be like Gina ~ going on an exciting guitar journey of your own. So…got guitar?
Top 5 Reasons for Playing Guitar:
1. Improves focus and concentration
2. Raises your “cool factor”
3. Helps to relieve stress
4. Inspires creativity
5. It’s FUN!
About the Author:
Marlene Hutchinson lives and teaches guitar in Orange County, California and teaches her “Learn to Play Guitar in a Day!” workshop at colleges, universities and other locations around the United States. Her DVD airs on PBS stations and she has been featured on CBS 2, KCal9, NBC 9News, NPR (National Public Radio), Acoustic Guitar, the Women’s International Music Network and several newspapers including the Orange County Register. “Learn to Play Guitar in a Day!” is a 2014 Player’s Choice Award nominee and Marlene is a spokesperson/clinician for GAMA (Guitar & Accessories Marketing Association). Visit Marlene at her website www.marlenesmusic.com
